Friday, November 15, 2019

Gerhard Berger Leads Ferrari Sweep In Australian - November 15, 1987

November 15, 1987
Gerhard Berger leads teammate Michele Alboreto to a Ferrari 1-2 finish in the Australian Grand Prix on the streets of Adelaide, Australia. 
(Photo: StuSeeger via photopin cc)
 Berger started from his third pole position of the year despite being ill during qualifying. At the green light, it was Nelson Piquet, in his last race for Williams before moving to Lotus in 1988, who got away best of all, darting past Berger to take the lead into the first chicane. A confident Berger, fresh from his victory in the previous race in Japan, re-passed Piquet going into turn three. The Austrian then went on to lead until the chequered flag to claim his third Grand Prix victory. Behind Berger developed a sparkling battle between Piquet, Alain Prost (McLaren), Michele Alboreto (Ferrari) and Ayrton Senna (Lotus). Piquet pitted for new tyres and later retired leaving the other trio to fight over second position. Senna eventually made a break from Alboreto and Prost who were being held up by back markers, with the Larrousse of Philippe Alliot in particular proving difficult to pass.

Prost suffered brake failure on lap 53, spinning off into the wall at Stag Turn and subsequently retiring. Senna made a late charge in an attempt to catch Berger, but the Austrian had enough in hand to respond despite having what appeared to be a dragging under-tray. Senna finished second but was later disqualified when post race scrutineering revealed oversized brake ducts on his Lotus. Alboreto was promoted up to second to make it a Ferrari 1-2, the first since Alboreto and Stefan Johansson finished 1-2 in the 1985 Canadian Grand Prix. Third across the line was the Benetton of Thierry Boutsen. Alboreto was the only driver to not be lapped by Berger.

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